An introduction to the Old Testament prophets, focusing on the origins of prophetism with Moses, the greatest prophet, their origins in the early history of Israel, and on the key themes in the prophets. A lecture given on the Bible and Culture course at Schloss Mittersill, Austria (a course run jointly by Schloss MIttersill and IFES).

1. The
Prophets
1

2. tonywatkins.org
twitter.com/tonywatkins_
facebook.com/tonywatkins
2

5. Why do we have
the Bible?

6. Why do we have
the Bible?
So that we can
know God

7. Why do we have
the Bible?
So that we can
know God
… and know how
to respond to God

9. GOD
us

10. GOD
them us

11. GOD
them us

12. GOD
them us

13. How do you feel about the prophets in the
Old Testament?
6

14. How do you feel about the prophets in the
Old Testament?
What do you find difficult about them?
Why is it important to study them?
6

15. difficulties with
the prophets
7

16. They have a queer way of talking, like people
who, instead of proceeding in an orderly
manner, ramble off from one thing to the next
so that you cannot make heads or tails of
them or see what they are getting at.
8

17. They have a queer way of talking, like people
who, instead of proceeding in an orderly
manner, ramble off from one thing to the next
so that you cannot make heads or tails of
them or see what they are getting at.
Martin Luther
8

18. to g
s in
r d
r t
a s ie n
r a
b r
n d e
u

19. 10

20. Culture Language
Religion
History Geography
10

21. Core Themes
11

22. What are the main themes which run
throughout the whole Bible?
12

23. salvation history
13

24. . . . the Lord God banished them from the
Garden of Eden . . .
Genesis 3:23
14

25. He will strike your head, and you will strike his
heel.
Genesis 3:15
15

26. For God so loved the world that he gave his
one and only Son, that whoever believes in
him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
16

27. I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from
every nation and tribe and people and
language, standing in front of the throne annd
before the Lamb. They were clothed in white
robes and held palm branches in their hands.
And they were shouting wth a great roar,
‘Salvation comes from our God who sits on
the throne and from the Lamb!’
Revelation 7:9–10
17

28. covenant

29. ‘I will be your God and you will be my people’
19

30. I will make you into a great nation. I will
bless you and make you famous, and you will
be a blessing to others. I will bless those
who bless you and curse those who treat
you with contempt. All the families on earth
will be blessed through you.
Genesis 12:1–3, NLT

31. Now if you will obey me and keep my
covenant, you will be my own special treasure
from among all the peoples on the earth; for
the earth belongs to me. . . .
‘Look, this blood confirms the covenant the
Lord has made with you in giving you these
instructions.’
Exodus 19:1; 24:8
21

32. Don’t you realise that the Lord, the God of
Israel, made a lasting covenant with David,
giving him and his descendants the throne of
Israel forever?
2 Chronicles 13:5
22

33. ‘This is my blood, which confirms the covenant
between God and his people. It is poured out
as a sacrifice for many.’
Mark 14:24
23

34. kingdom
24

35. God’s
people

36. God’s
people
God’s place

37. God’s rule
God’s
people
God’s place

38. God’s rule
God’s blessing
God’s
people
God’s place

39. Four stages in the OT

40. Adam
and Eve

41. Adam
and Eve
Eden

42. God’s words
Relationship
Adam
and Eve
Eden

44. Under God’s curse
Excluded

45. Moses
29

46. There has never been another prophet in
Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to
face.
Deuteronomy 34:10
30

47. Israel

48. Israel
Canaan

49. God’s law
Covenant
Israel
Canaan

50. What other nation is so great as to have such
righteous decrees and laws as this body of
laws I am setting before you today?
Deuteronomy 4:8
32

52. CANAAN

53. Jericho
CANAAN

54. Jericho
CANAAN

56. Reuben

57. Gad
Reuben

58. Manasseh
(half)
Gad
Reuben

59. Manasseh
(half)
Gad
Judah Reuben

60. Manasseh
(half)
Gad
Judah Reuben
Simeon

61. Manasseh
(half)
Gad
Benjamin
Judah Reuben
Simeon

62. Manasseh
(half)
Ephraim
Gad
Benjamin
Judah Reuben
Simeon

63. Manasseh
(half)
Ephraim
Dan Gad
Benjamin
Judah Reuben
Simeon

64. Manasseh Manasseh
(half) (half)
Ephraim
Dan Gad
Benjamin
Judah Reuben
Simeon

65. Issachar
Manasseh Manasseh
(half) (half)
Ephraim
Dan Gad
Benjamin
Judah Reuben
Simeon

66. Zebullun Issachar
Manasseh Manasseh
(half) (half)
Ephraim
Dan Gad
Benjamin
Judah Reuben
Simeon

67. er
Ash
Zebullun Issachar
Manasseh Manasseh
(half) (half)
Ephraim
Dan Gad
Benjamin
Judah Reuben
Simeon

68. li
hta
er
Ash
Nap
Zebullun Issachar
Manasseh Manasseh
(half) (half)
Ephraim
Dan Gad
Benjamin
Judah Reuben
Simeon

69. li
ARAM
hta
er
Ash
Nap
Zebullun Issachar
Manasseh Manasseh
(half) (half)
Ephraim
Dan Gad AMMON
Benjamin
ES
IN
Judah Reuben
T
IS
Simeon
IL
MOAB
PH
EDOM
MIDIAN
AMALEK

70. Covenant blessings
35

71. Covenant blessings
• Life
35

72. Covenant blessings
• Life
• Health
35

73. Covenant blessings
• Life
• Health
• Abundance
35

74. Covenant blessings
• Life • Prosperity
• Health
• Abundance
35

75. Covenant blessings
• Life • Prosperity
• Health • Security
• Abundance
35

76. Covenant blessings
• Life • Prosperity
• Health • Security
• Abundance • Respect
35

77. Covenant curses
36

78. Covenant curses
• Disease
36

79. Covenant curses
• Disease
• Drought
36

80. Covenant curses
• Disease
• Drought
• Dearth
36

81. Covenant curses
• Disease
• Drought
• Dearth
• Danger
36

82. Covenant curses
• Disease
• Drought
• Dearth
• Danger
• Death
36

83. Covenant curses
• Disease • Defeat
• Drought
• Dearth
• Danger
• Death
36

84. Covenant curses
• Disease • Defeat
• Drought • Destruction
• Dearth
• Danger
• Death
36

85. Covenant curses
• Disease • Defeat
• Drought • Destruction
• Dearth • Deportation
• Danger
• Death
36

86. Covenant curses
• Disease • Defeat
• Drought • Destruction
• Dearth • Deportation
• Danger • Destitution
• Death
36

87. Covenant curses
• Disease • Defeat
• Drought • Destruction
• Dearth • Deportation
• Danger • Destitution
• Death • Disgrace
36

88. God’s law
Covenant
Israel
Canaan/Israel

89. God’s law
Covenant
Canaan/Israel

90. The enemy
within
38

91. 39

92. 39

93. 39

94. 39

95. 39

96. 40

97. Read Deuteronomy 18:9–22
What are the people of God to avoid?
Why? What is the purpose of these pagan
practices?
What is the only valid option for God’s
people? Why?
40

98. When the Lord your God eliminates the
nations from the place where you are headed
and you dispossess them, you will settle down
in their land. After they have been destroyed
from your presence, be careful not to be
ensnared like they are; do not pursue their
gods and say, ‘How do these nations serve
their gods? I will do the same.’ . . .
41

99. You must not worship the Lord your God the
way they do! For everything that is abhorrent
to him, everything he hates, they have done
when worshipping their gods. They even burn
up their sons and daughters before their gods!
Deuteronomy 12:29–31 (NET)
42

100. When you enter the land the Lord your God
is giving you, you must not learn the abhorrent
practices of those nations. There must never
be found among you anyone who sacrifices his
son or daughter in the fire, anyone who
practices divination, an omen reader, a
soothsayer, a sorcerer, one who casts spells,
one who conjures up spirits, a practitioner of
the occult, or a necromancer. . . .
43

101. Whoever does these things is abhorrent to
the Lord and because of these detestable
things the Lord your God is about to drive
them out from before you. You must be
blameless before the Lord your God. Those
nations that you are about to dispossess listen
to omen readers and diviners, but the Lord
your God has not given you permission to do
such things. . . .
44

102. The Lord your God will raise up for you a
prophet like me from among you – from your
fellow Israelites; you must listen to him.
. . . I will raise up a prophet like you for them
from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my
words in his mouth and he will speak to them
whatever I command. I will personally hold
responsible anyone who then pays no attention
to the words that prophet speaks in my name.
Deuteronomy 18:9–15,17–19
45

103. A downward spiral
(Judges 2:6 – 16:31)
46

104. 47

105. Turning
from God
47

106. Turning
from God
Oppression
47

107. Turning
from God
Oppression
Crying
to God
47

108. Turning
from God
Oppression
Rescuer Crying
(Judge) to God
47

109. Turning
from God
Peace Oppression
Rescuer Crying
(Judge) to God
47

110. Turning
from God
Peace Oppression
Rescuer Crying
(Judge) to God
47

111. The state of the nation

112. The state of the nation
JOSHUA: JUDGES:

113. The state of the nation
JOSHUA: JUDGES:
• Israel united • Factions/rivalry

114. The state of the nation
JOSHUA: JUDGES:
• Israel united • Factions/rivalry
• Concerned for • Self-interest and
God’s glory self-indulgence

115. The state of the nation
JOSHUA: JUDGES:
• Israel united • Factions/rivalry
• Concerned for • Self-interest and
God’s glory self-indulgence
• Led by God’s • Slide into anarchy
appointed leader and idolatry

116. 49

117. • Failure to deal with pagan nations
49

118. • Failure to deal with pagan nations
• Failure to live by God’s standards
49

119. • Failure to deal with pagan nations
• Failure to live by God’s standards
• Failure to have God at the centre of life and
worship
49

120. In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as
he saw fit.
Judges 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25
50

121. Saul

122. Saul
• 1 Samuel 9–31

123. Saul
• 1 Samuel 9–31
• Reigned 1050–1010 (approx.)

124. Saul
• 1 Samuel 9–31
• Reigned 1050–1010 (approx.)
• Rejected because he rejected the word of the
Lord (1 Samuel 15:23 )

125. David

126. David
• ‘The Lord has sought out a man after his own
heart’ (1 Samuel 13:14)

127. David
• ‘The Lord has sought out a man after his own
heart’ (1 Samuel 13:14)
• 1 Samuel 16 – 1 Kings 2 / 1 Chronicles 29

128. David
• ‘The Lord has sought out a man after his own
heart’ (1 Samuel 13:14)
• 1 Samuel 16 – 1 Kings 2 / 1 Chronicles 29
• Reigned 1010–970 (approx.)

129. Solomon

130. Solomon
• 1 Kings 1 – 11 / 1 Chron. 22 – 2 Chron. 9

131. Solomon
• 1 Kings 1 – 11 / 1 Chron. 22 – 2 Chron. 9
• Reigned 970–931 (approx.)

132. Solomon
• 1 Kings 1 – 11 / 1 Chron. 22 – 2 Chron. 9
• Reigned 970–931 (approx.)
• The wisest man (1 Kings 3:12; see Luke 11:31)

133. Solomon
• 1 Kings 1 – 11 / 1 Chron. 22 – 2 Chron. 9
• Reigned 970–931 (approx.)
• The wisest man (1 Kings 3:12; see Luke 11:31)
• But slipped into idolatry and unfaithfulness
(1 Kings 11:31–35)

134. Jerusalem

135. Rehoboam Jerusalem

136. 922 BC
Jeroboam Shechem
Rehoboam Jerusalem

137. 922 BC
ISRAEL
Jeroboam Shechem
Rehoboam Jerusalem

138. 922 BC
ISRAEL
Samaria
Jeroboam
Rehoboam Jerusalem

139. 922 BC
Rehoboam Jerusalem
JUDAH

140. Saul
1050
55

141. Rehoboam
931
Saul David Solomon
1050 1010 970
Jeroboam
931
55

142. 1050
Saul
1010
David
970
Solomon
Jeroboam Rehoboam
931 931
Abijam 913
Asa
55
911

143. Jeroboam Rehoboam
931 931
Nadab 910 Abijam 913
Baasha 909
Elah 886 Asa
911
Zimri 885
Omri 885
Ahab 874
Ahaziah 853
Joram 852
Jehu 841
Jehoahaz 814
55
Jehoash 798

144. Jeroboam Rehoboam
931 931
Nadab 910 Abijam 913
Baasha 909
Elah 886 Asa
911
Asa
Zimri 885 911
Omri 885
Ahab 874
Jehoshaphat
Ahaziah 853 870
Joram 852 Jehoram 848
Jehu 841 Ahaziah 841
Athaliah 841
Jehoahaz 814
Jehoash 835
55
Jehoash 798

145. God’s law
Covenant
Israel

146. God’s law
Covenant
Israel

147. prophets = nabi
57

148. prophets = nabi
called (by God) to call out (for God)
57

149. 58

150. Prophets are called by God
58

151. Prophets are called by God
. . . to speak from God
58

152. Prophets are called by God
. . . to speak from God
. . . about God
58

153. authority
59

154. uniformity
60

155. Whether he is discussing the past, present or
future, the prophet is seeking to make God
the most genuine reality that men can know
and experience.
A.B. Mickelson
Interpreting the Bible, p. 287
61

156. not foretelling
62

157. forthtelling
63

158. Prophecy is essentially a ministry of disclosure,
a stripping bare. Israel’s great prophets do not
merely lift the veil of the future in order to
destroy false expectations; at the same time,
they expose the conduct of their
contemporaries. . . . Prophets tear the masks
away and show the true face of the people
behind them.
Hans Walter Wolff, Confrontations
64

159. God’s glory
65

160. God’s ultimate concern
66

161. Glory in the Old Testament
67

162. Glory in the Old Testament
• God’s glory revealed in creation
67

163. Glory in the Old Testament
• God’s glory revealed in creation
• God’s glory rejected by human rebellion
67

164. Glory in the Old Testament
• God’s glory revealed in creation
• God’s glory rejected by human rebellion
• God’s glory revived in Israel
[nation, temple, king]
67

165. Glory in the Old Testament
• God’s glory revealed in creation
• God’s glory rejected by human rebellion
• God’s glory revived in Israel
[nation, temple, king]
• God’s glory defamed by idolatry
67

166. Glory in the Old Testament
• God’s glory revealed in creation
• God’s glory rejected by human rebellion
• God’s glory revived in Israel
[nation, temple, king]
• God’s glory defamed by idolatry
• God’s glory defended by the prophets
67

167. The Bible’s Structure
68

168. Christian Jewish
Old Testament Tanak
New Testament
69

169. Old Testament
70

170. Old Testament
Pentateuch
History books
Wisdom Lit.
Prophets
70

171. Old Testament
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Pentateuch Numbers, Deuteronomy
History books
Wisdom Lit.
Prophets
70

172. Old Testament
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Pentateuch Numbers, Deuteronomy
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1–2 Samuel
History books 1–2 Kings, 1–2 Chronicles, Ezra,
Nehemiah, Esther
Wisdom Lit.
Prophets
70

173. Old Testament
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Pentateuch Numbers, Deuteronomy
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1–2 Samuel
History books 1–2 Kings, 1–2 Chronicles, Ezra,
Nehemiah, Esther
Job, Psalms, Proverbs,
Wisdom Lit. Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
Prophets
70

174. Old Testament
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Pentateuch Numbers, Deuteronomy
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1–2 Samuel
History books 1–2 Kings, 1–2 Chronicles, Ezra,
Nehemiah, Esther
Job, Psalms, Proverbs,
Wisdom Lit. Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations,
Prophets Ezekiel, Daniel, Minor Prophets
70

175. New Testament
71

176. New Testament
Revelation
History
Timeless present
Anticipation
71

177. New Testament
Revelation Matthew Mark, Luke, John
History Acts
Timeless present Romans – Jude
Anticipation Revelations
71

178. Old Testament Tanak
Pentateuch
Law
History Prophets
Wisdom Writings
Prophets
72

179. Old Testament Tanak
Pentateuch Law
History Prophets
Wisdom Writings
Prophets
72

180. Old Testament Tanak
Pentateuch Instruction
Law
History Prophets
Wisdom Writings
Prophets
72

181. Old Testament Tanak
Pentateuch Instruction
Law
History Prophets
History
Wisdom Writings
Prophets
72

182. Old Testament Tanak
Pentateuch Instruction
Law
History Prophets
History
Wisdom Writings
Prophets
Wisdom
History
Prophets
72

183. Old Testament Tanak
Pentateuch Instruction
Torah
Law
History Prophets
Nevi’im
History
Wisdom Writings
Ketuvim
Prophets
Wisdom
History
Prophets
72

184. Tanak
Torah
Nevi’im Rishonim
Nevi’im Ahronim
Nevi’im
Ketuvim
73

185. Tanak
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Torah Numbers, Deuteronomy
Nevi’im Rishonim
Nevi’im Ahronim
Nevi’im
Ketuvim
73

186. Tanak
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Torah Numbers, Deuteronomy
Nevi’im Rishonim Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings
Nevi’im
Nevi’im Ahronim
Ketuvim
73

187. Tanak
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Torah Numbers, Deuteronomy
Nevi’im Rishonim Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings
Nevi’im
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel,
Nevi’im Ahronim Book of the Twelve
Ketuvim
73

188. Tanak
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Torah Numbers, Deuteronomy
Nevi’im Rishonim Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings
Nevi’im
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel,
Nevi’im Ahronim Book of the Twelve
Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Song
Ketuvim of Solomon, Ecclesiastes,
Lamentations, Esther, Daniel,
Ezra–Nehemiah, Chronicles
73

189. Tanak
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Torah Numbers, Deuteronomy
Nevi’im Rishonim
Former Prophets Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings
Nevi’im
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel,
Nevi’imProphets
Latter Ahronim Book of the Twelve
Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Song
Writings
Ketuvim of Solomon, Ecclesiastes,
Lamentations, Esther, Daniel,
Ezra–Nehemiah, Chronicles
73

190. The Word of
the LORD
74

191. Calling people
back to the
covenant

192. Covenant
enforcement
mediators
(Fee and Stuart)

193. Warning of
judgment
76

194. Promising
restoration
77

195. Restoration

196. Basic pattern
79

197. 80

198. Identification of
Israel’s sin
80

199. Identification of
Israel’s sin
Announcement of
judgment
80

200. Identification of Declaration of
Israel’s sin God’s love for Israel
Announcement of
judgment
80

201. Identification of Declaration of
Israel’s sin God’s love for Israel
Announcement of Announcement of
judgment blessing
80

203. Old
Testament
Promise

204. Old New
Testament Testament
Promise Fulfilment

205. deep focus
82

207. two horizons
84

208. 85

209. key themes
86

210. 1
God is the ruler of all of
history and every nation
87

211. 2
Humanity’s most
fundamental need is
to be right with God
88

212. 3
Religion, politics and
society must all be on
a firm moral base
89

213. 4
God offers us the choice
of judgment or hope
90

214. conditional future?
91

215. The [Latter Prophets] did not call for reform,
for they knew it was too late; the end of the
present order was near and could not be
averted.
Donald Gowan
Reclaiming the OT p. 125–6
92

216. 5
The future kingdom of God
93

217. beacons
94

218. These distant future events . . . are announced
to serve as beacons for God’s people –
beacons which will help them get their
bearings and set their course in life, beacons
which will give direction, hope, and
encouragement, even in the darkest hour.
Sidney Greidanus,
The Modern Preacher and the Ancient Text, p. 235
95

219. a universal kingdom
96

220. coming and continuing
97

221. a coming King
98

222. Death
99

223. i o n
c t
rre
e s u
R 99

224. 6
The glory of God
100

225. God’s glory in the prophets
101

226. God’s glory in the prophets
• God’s glory revealed as he gathers a people
and redeems them. Jer. 31:10–11
101

227. God’s glory in the prophets
• God’s glory revealed as he gathers a people
and redeems them. Jer. 31:10–11
• God’s glory revealed in a new Zion. Isaiah 2
101

228. God’s glory in the prophets
• God’s glory revealed as he gathers a people
and redeems them. Jer. 31:10–11
• God’s glory revealed in a new Zion. Isaiah 2
• God’s glory revealed in new Davidic king. Jer.
23:5–6
101

229. God’s glory in the prophets
• God’s glory revealed as he gathers a people
and redeems them. Jer. 31:10–11
• God’s glory revealed in a new Zion. Isaiah 2
• God’s glory revealed in new Davidic king. Jer.
23:5–6
• God’s glory revealed in a new temple. Ez. 47:1
101

230. God’s glory in the prophets
• God’s glory revealed as he gathers a people
and redeems them. Jer. 31:10–11
• God’s glory revealed in a new Zion. Isaiah 2
• God’s glory revealed in new Davidic king. Jer.
23:5–6
• God’s glory revealed in a new temple. Ez. 47:1
• God’s glory revealed in new creation.
Isaiah 65:17
101

231. God’s glory in the prophets
• God’s glory revealed in new covenant. Jer.
31:31–33
102

232. God’s glory in the prophets
• God’s glory revealed in new covenant. Jer.
31:31–33
• God will be shepherd Ezekiel 34:11–13, 26–31
102

233. God’s glory in the prophets
• God’s glory revealed in new covenant. Jer.
31:31–33
• God will be shepherd Ezekiel 34:11–13, 26–31
• God’s righteousness revealed in salvation of
nations. Isaiah 42:6b–7; 49:6b
102

234. God’s glory in the prophets
• God’s glory revealed in new covenant. Jer.
31:31–33
• God will be shepherd Ezekiel 34:11–13, 26–31
• God’s righteousness revealed in salvation of
nations. Isaiah 42:6b–7; 49:6b
• The Lord’s anointed will do this. Isaiah 11:1–4;
42:1; 49:1–3; 50:4; 59:21; 61:1
102

235. Read Joel and see how these key themes are
explored.
103